The Use of Micro/Ultrafiltration for the Removal of Oil and Suspended Solids from Oilfield Brines

Abstract

Brine generated at offshore and onshore oil recovery facilities is generally treated for removal of oil and suspended solids to meet process and regulatory requirements. Microfiltration (MF) and Ultrafiltration (UF) have been proposed as effective and cost-competitive alternatives to conventional oil removal technology. Recent studies in this field were reviewed to identify current trends and technical obstacles to the implementation of MF/UF technology for oilfield brine treatment. The most extensively demonstrated membrane technology for oilfield brine treatment in North America is a tubular ceramic microfiltration system which employs backflushing and chemical pretreatment. Two commercial installations of this technology are now in place, however, long term viability is uncertain. Lack of an adequate database on both membrane/brine interaction and long term system operations have mitigated against the development of predictive models and correlations necessary to design membrane processes for removal of oil from oilfield brine. The key technical obstacles to cost effective application of membranes include low average flux rates, flux degradation and uncertain membrane life. Concerns regarding integration of membrane processes at oilfield brine treatment facilities include sensitivity to variations in flow and oilfield brine characteristics, handling of waste streams generated using chemical pretreatment and requirements for extensive prefiltration.

Cellulosic Substrates for Removal of Pollutants from Aqueous Systems: A Review. 3. Spilled Oil and Emulsified Organic Liquids

“…Preferential surface wetting allows separation of the phases via ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes. The effectiveness of cellulose-based membranes in the cleaning up of oilcontaminated water has been demonstrated in a number of studies (Zaidi et al 1992;Hlavacek 1995;Koltuneiwiz and Field 1996;Tirmizi et al 1996;Hong et al 2002;Zou et al 2003;Li et al 2009;Wang et al 2010).…”

“…Studies have shown that O/W emulsions can be separated into their respective oil and aqueous phases by use of a suitable membrane or packed bed (Zaidi et al 1992;Lee and Han 1993;Juang and Jiang 1994;Hlavacek 1995;Koltuneiwicz and Field 1996;Matsumoto et al 1999;Sun et al 1998Sun et al , 1999Tirmizi et al 1996;Briscoe et al 2000;Hong et al 2002;Kocherginsky et al 2003;Zou et al 2003;Li et al 2009). While most attention has been focused on uses of hydrophilic membrane materials, the feasibility of using hydrophobic membranes also has been demonstrated (Daiminger et al 1995).…”

Demulsification of water/oil/solid emulsions by hollow‐fiber membranes

“…Scott et al (1992) studied emulsions having up to 40% oil using hydrophilic membranes (cellulose acetate, regenerated celIulose, and coated regenerated cellulose). Zaidi et al (1992) and Chen et al (1991) used ceramic and hydrophilic membranes to remove oil from oil field brines. In all of these studies the permeating phase was water.…”

Assessment of economic impact of offshore and coastal discharge requirements on present and future operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Final report

“…These include the relatively small size and low weight of the unit', and its insensitivity to platform motion. Other advantages of membrane filtration that could make it suitable for a wide range of settings include the ability to withstand high temperatures, strong cleaning agents, high concentrations of suspended solids, and fluctuations in influent oil concentration (Simms et a/., 1990;Zaida et a/., 1992).…”